The film is mainly told through the story of two astronauts, a clever device which gives the film an incredible sense of tension and claustrophobia – despite its setting in open space. It stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in the lead roles.

About the story:

Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (Clooney) in command. But on a seemingly routine mission, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalski completely alone—tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left.

But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

The film has been garnering some truly excellent reviews from its early stint on the film festival circuit – officially premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, but also screened as one of Telluride’s secretive “TBA” premieres – and is sure to be a case study for film students of all stripes. Check out the trailer:

The film’s website also features an interactive experience – “Spacewalk” – which you’ll want to try out if you’re one of the many excited for the film.

The film will have very limited seating, so Dodge College students are encouraged to show up early to guarantee themselves a seat, in order to catch it before the October 4 theatrical release.

Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts will explore the purpose, passion, and perspective of influential women in the entertainment industry at its milestone 20th Women in Focus Conference. Taking place on Friday, March 29, Chapman’s signature Women in Focus Conference will feature an alluring panel of acclaimed female producers and executives who